Brandi Bobusia/Courtesy photo
A CAP employee fills a bag with food at the Dover food pantry.

DOVER — In an act of teamwork and community support, Bank of New Hampshire and Shaw's are partnering up to support the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.

CAP, which operates many food pantries, recently experienced a lull in its operations and as a result have low-stocked shelves. All three locations including Dover, Farmington, and Milton have experienced a smaller intake of donations.

A food drive was set up by the Bank of New Hampshire in its statewide feeding effort. Lori Hults, the office manager, believes CAP will allow a bigger impact due to the number of pantries they operate.

"They donate to many other pantries and shelters in the area," Hults said. "This year we're so excited to be partnering with Shaw's."

Community Services and Outreach Director of CAP Susan Geier believes the reason could be an influx of people using the pantries. This situation usually occurs at the end of the summer but this time it's much more evident, according to Geier.

"At the end of the summer there is a lull," Greier said. "This is the first where I don't believe things will pick up on their own. I've never seen it when there are gaping holes in the shelf. It's an odd thing."

The partnership with Shaw's dealt with the fact they worked with food and have done several fundraisers.

Shaw's Store Manager Marie Niro said she got a call from CAP describing their needs for their pantry.

"What we do here will be assembling bags in $5 and $10 ranges," Niro added. "It could be family meals or snacks. Then people can take the bag through the checkout and bring it to the Bank of New Hampshire who will handle it from there."

People can also purchase and donate Shaw's gift cards in any amount and send them to Bank of New Hampshire.

On Oct. 4, Bank of New Hampshire staff will be handing out fliers outside of Shaw's to spread the word about the food drive.

"I just think people are thinking about contributing this time of year due to holidays coming up," Hults said.

Niro agrees toward the end of the year the food pantries experience an influx.

"We're here to help them out," Niro said. "It's just one more way we have to help people in our community."

Although they may be low on food they won't be turning any people down.

CAP Outreach Manager Brandi Bobusia says they are passing food from pantry to pantry in an effort to keep people satisfied.

"I think by the end of October we'll be in a more comfortable spot," Bobusia added. "Anything you donate goes right to Strafford County. We want to make sure people can eat."